The French designer and entrepreneur was one of the most popular and influential couturiers in the world. From the late 1920s he initially worked as an art dealer in Paris. In the 1930s, Christian Dior expanded his field of activity through his own creative work: he designed the first fashion sketches for a magazine and, from 1938, began to work as a designer for Parisian fashion houses. Dior celebrated his international breakthrough from 1947 with the “New Look” and the “Bellflower Line”, which made him the leading couturier of the 1950s. After only ten years in the public eye, Dior passed away at the height of his career…
Christian Dior was born on January 21, 1905 in Granville, Normandy, into a wealthy family of industrialists.
He grew up in Normandy. After finishing elementary school, Dior moved to Paris with his parents, where he attended the Ecole de Sciences Politiques. After graduating from high school and training as a diplomat, Dior opened an art gallery in Paris in 1928, which quickly made a name for itself in the city’s select art circles. In addition, Dior was also artistically active with numerous drawings and illustrations. From 1931 his first fashion creations came about in the form of hat sketches commissioned by the magazine “Le Figaro Illustré”. In 1937, Dior expanded its field of activity to design the first women’s models (suits, coats, shoes). In 1938 Dior became a designer at “Piquet” and in 1940 he became chief designer at “Lelong”. After German troops invaded France, the designer fled to southern France from the occupying forces in 1940 until the end of the war in 1945.
On December 16, 1946, with the financial help of a wealthy friend of the Boussac family, he moved into a studio on Avenue Montaigne in Paris, where the Dior brand’s flagship store is still located today. His first collection appeared on February 12, 1947. Shortly thereafter, Dior founded his own fashion house under the label “Christian Dior”, which launched the perfume “Miss Dior” in the same year. In the same year he celebrated his greatest success with his draft of the “New Look” in America. The “New Look” term was coined by Carmel Snow, the then editor-in-chief of “Harper’s Bazaar”. These creations consisted of feminine, figure-hugging dress tops with round shoulders and wide swinging skirts. Furthermore, Dior set completely new accents with colour-coordinated accessories, such as a dainty hat and umbrella, which made him the pioneering couturier of his time. The “New Look” designs became popular under the designation “Ligne Corolle” or “Bellflower Line”.
After these successes in the USA, Dior founded “Christian Dior New York Inc.” in 1949, which was also represented under this name at Paris Prêt-à-Porter appearances. In the same year, 1949, the designer was also represented with his first fashion show in Hamburg. From 1947 to 1950 he employed Pierre Cardin as a tailor. In 1951 he introduced the trademark “Dior” for worldwide distribution of his production under license. In 1953, Dior made the young Yves Saint Laurent his assistant. In 1955, Dior called “Christian Dior London Ltd.” into life. After the “New Look”, a changed line appeared each season. This is how the “tulip line” came into being from 1953 to 1954, the “H line” from 1954 to 1955, the “A line” in the summer of 1955 and the “arrow line” from 1956 to 1957. In April 1957 he was the first fashion designer to appear on the cover of Time Magazine. Dior was considered the most influential couturier in the world.
After suffering a heart attack, Christian Dior died on October 24, 1957 in the Italian spa town of Montecatini, aged just 52. Saint Laurent posthumously became Dior’s successor as chief designer of the house of Dior in 1957.
Does Christian Dior make a good men’s suit?
Dior Homme is the menswear division of Christian Dior SA, the French clothing retailer.
When was Christian Dior born?
Christian Dior, (born January 21, 1905, Granville, France—died October 24, 1957, Montecatini, Italy), French fashion designer whose creations dominated world fashion in the decade following World War II.
What is Christian Dior known for?
Christian Ernest Dior (21 January 1905 – 24 October 1957) was a French fashion designer, best known as the founder of one of the world’s top fashion houses, Christian Dior SE, which is now owned by parent company LVMH.
When did Christian Dior die?
October 24, 1957. Death of Christian Dior. Christian Dior died of a heart attack in Montecatini, Italy.
Who is Christian Dior owned by?
Christian Dior SE, commonly known as Dior (stylized DIOR), is a French luxury fashion house controlled and chaired by French businessman Bernard Arnault, who also heads LVMH, the world’s largest luxury group. Dior holds 42.36% shares of and 59.01% voting rights within LVMH.
Is Dior and Christian Dior the same?
Christian Dior and Dior are the same. The former refers to the founding designer of his namesake fashion house, Dior.